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I saw a show on TV a long time ago about how fewer and fewer air traffic controllers are being given more and more work, and that this load is becoming very burdensome. Has this trend continued/is it continuing? Just how understaffed is it today, presumably from the airline industry trying to cut costs?
Many of the current controllers were hired in 1981 after they were fired by Pres. Reagan for striking. Those controllers are now eligible for retirement and they aren't hiring/training new recruits at a fast enough rate for equal replacement.
Also, controllers are employed by the FAA; not airlines.
Many of the current controllers were hired in 1981 after they were fired by Pres. Reagan for striking. Those controllers are now eligible for retirement and they aren't hiring/training new recruits at a fast enough rate for equal replacement.
Also, controllers are employed by the FAA; not airlines.
And, another major problem is that the FAA changed the hiring rules mid-stream!! My son graduated with an airport management major with an air traffic control minor - took his boards (ATSATS) and did not pass the biographical exam that they decided they wanted to put on these tests....The reason being that Mr. Fox, transportation secretary under Obama decided to 'diversify' the ATC and allow kids from off the streets apply with zero background in aviation at all (son interned several years as an atc, took his boards and passed with a 97%......and now the kids that are the diversity kids don't take boards, can't pass the academy in oklahoma city and the government wants to know what the problem is.....really??? the guys who want to retire can't.....there are not enough qualifed candidates out there. I know this because my son now mentors kids at a big city airport tower because these kids are NOT qualified for the jobs and the airports needed to hire kids to babysit these new atcs who are not qualified !!
This problem extends to most of the economy. Industries requiring highly skilled workers are looking a building full of grey beards. I know of one company that has finally partnered with the local vocational school to develop an apprentice program to get people to replace their tool makers. You know the folks that make the patterns, fixtures, cutters and operate the machines to make the tools to make the tools to make the product.
I started my paid career 45 years ago a highly skilled machinist but soon realized that a college degree even in as poorly paid a job as environmental scientist paid a lot more than a tool maker and I would never have to put up with the condensation of some twerp that worked "on the carpet".
Now that I am retired I have an opportunity to rent a shop and do some metalwork again. Working sheet metal looks interesting. We shall see.
I had wanted to be an Air Traffic Controller when I was young, but mom looked me straight in the eye and said "um, no. Just............no. No way". In retrospect she is right, however, I enjoy listening to YouTube videos and following along just to see if I have what it takes.
I have an acquaintance who is one and I recall him saying something about privitizing the industry here in Minnesota, and how he would be retiring and/or quitting soon. This was about 4 years ago when we chatted about it.
And, another major problem is that the FAA changed the hiring rules mid-stream!! My son graduated with an airport management major with an air traffic control minor - took his boards (ATSATS) and did not pass the biographical exam that they decided they wanted to put on these tests....The reason being that Mr. Fox, transportation secretary under Obama decided to 'diversify' the ATC and allow kids from off the streets apply with zero background in aviation at all (son interned several years as an atc, took his boards and passed with a 97%......and now the kids that are the diversity kids don't take boards, can't pass the academy in oklahoma city and the government wants to know what the problem is.....really??? the guys who want to retire can't.....there are not enough qualifed candidates out there. I know this because my son now mentors kids at a big city airport tower because these kids are NOT qualified for the jobs and the airports needed to hire kids to babysit these new atcs who are not qualified !!
An air controller needs to speak the English; not the kings' English.
I hope the street kids won't cause the aircraft collisions.
And, another major problem is that the FAA changed the hiring rules mid-stream!! My son graduated with an airport management major with an air traffic control minor - took his boards (ATSATS) and did not pass the biographical exam that they decided they wanted to put on these tests....The reason being that Mr. Fox, transportation secretary under Obama decided to 'diversify' the ATC and allow kids from off the streets apply with zero background in aviation at all (son interned several years as an atc, took his boards and passed with a 97%......and now the kids that are the diversity kids don't take boards, can't pass the academy in oklahoma city and the government wants to know what the problem is.....really??? the guys who want to retire can't.....there are not enough qualifed candidates out there. I know this because my son now mentors kids at a big city airport tower because these kids are NOT qualified for the jobs and the airports needed to hire kids to babysit these new atcs who are not qualified !!
I've 'failed' the BQ twice. There are many good, qualified people being left on the sidelines for the sake of diversity. There are many facilities where ~50% of qualified controllers are eligible to retire, and there is no one to replace them. The privatization issue going around congress doesn't help either.
Recently I was in SFO. It was late at night, and we were requesting push back clearance from ground control. This one controller was overwhelmed. He was working both ground and tower, and many aircraft were queuing up both on ground and tower. Lots of international heavies were arriving, and he gave priority to them for landing clearances, then departures, then aircraft who had landed and needed to taxi into gates, and lastly those of us at gates needing to taxi out. Anyway, we waited 25 minutes for permission to push.
I couldn't believe they'd put this one guy through this. I'd be shocked to find out he wasn't an alcoholic. You could hear the stress in his voice.
Recently I was in SFO. It was late at night, and we were requesting push back clearance from ground control. This one controller was overwhelmed. He was working both ground and tower, and many aircraft were queuing up both on ground and tower. Lots of international heavies were arriving, and he gave priority to them for landing clearances, then departures, then aircraft who had landed and needed to taxi into gates, and lastly those of us at gates needing to taxi out. Anyway, we waited 25 minutes for permission to push.
I couldn't believe they'd put this one guy through this. I'd be shocked to find out he wasn't an alcoholic. You could hear the stress in his voice.
I've been witness to delays at ATL, too, because the ground controller was overwhelmed. Not a good set of words heard over the radio describing why everything ground to a halt.
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